RCA's STEM programming

NYSTEC is proud to support the Redemption Christian Academy STEM Program. By providing STEM programming and personnel support, this partnership also helps NYSTEC realize its commitment to enhance and bolster its local communities. NYSTEC is an independent, nonprofit technology consulting company headquartered in Rome, NY, with offices in Albany and New York City. Created in 1996 to facilitate the transfer of technology, innovation, and expertise between the public and private sectors in support of economic development, today NYSTEC is a trusted advisor to government agencies, institutions, and businesses. NYSTEC helps support the Central and Upstate New York innovation system through its program, IgniteU NY. For more information, visit the NYSTEC website: https://www.nystec.com

STEM Program Activities

RCA's STEM program included the STEM Integrated Circuit (IC) Design Training Program partnered with NYDesign and NYSTEC for EFabless Chip Ignite, featuring Circuit Design as one of the core activities. Other sessions included Introduction to coding, App development, Drones, Engineering a mouse-trap car, Visiting local college campuses of HVCC and HVCC North, Meeting local businesses, Visiting SUNY Polytechnic Institute, with a tour and sessions at the Albany Nanotech Complex, and more.

Community Program Organizers, Supporters, & Volunteers

This program was initiated with the help of the following individuals we are so grateful for their contributions:

Lieutenant Colonel Michael Hutchinson
Lieutenant Colonel Michael Hutchinson is an Army Special Forces Officer whose previous duty position was Director, Advanced Analytics and Artificial Intelligence Applications at the United States Army Special Operations Command. He led a cross-functional division of cloud architects, software engineers, mechanical and electrical engineers, and research psychologists who spearheaded a number of use cases in support of enhanced human performance, human machine teaming, and workforce development. Attempting to hire and retain the high-quality civilian talent the division required exposed a gap in the workforce development pipeline in the broader United States in the fields most necessary for the emerging global economy and national defense. In his role as commander of the regional Army Recruiting Battalion, Lieutenant Colonel Hutchinson seeks to provide educators and students with access to information and pathways leading to these high-demand civilian careers.

Roosevelt Banks
Roosevelt Banks is a former Naval nuclear power engineer who attended the Naval Nuclear Power School in Orlando, Florida. He also studied and finished in the top 5% at the Knolls Atomic Power Lab S7G Nuclear Prototype. He became the Chief Reactor Watch onboard the USS Eisenhower. Roosevelt Banks later returned to the Knolls Atomic Power Lab as an instructor of officers, enlisted men, and civilians. His engineering and teaching background makes a perfect fit for RCA’s science and engineering program (STEM). He recently received a scholarship from the ASM Materials Education Foundation and attended a graduate level summer training program at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute for teachers in materials science and engineering.

Elementary STEM programs will continue to be offered by Dr. Jim Tkacik, who has volunteered since 1996 at RCA.